Ten years after the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health made Massachusetts the first state in the U.S. where same-sex couples could marry, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) will honor the author of that decision, Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall.

“The decision not only transformed the lives of LGBT people in our Commonwealth, it changed the country, shone light on the lives of LGBT people, and set us all on an amazing journey,” said Lee Swislow, Executive Director of GLAD. “We are thrilled to honor Chief Justice Marshall not only for this eloquent and historic opinion, but for her lifelong commitment to justice for everyone.”

In Goodridge, GLAD represented seven same-sex couples who wished to marry. Civil Rights Project Director Mary Bonauto argued the case before the Supreme Judicial Court on March 4, 2003, and the world-changing decision was issued on November 18, 2003.

Chief Justice Marshall will accept the award at the 14th Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner at the Boston Copley Marriot on October 25, 2013. Details about the event are available at https://www.glad.org/events